joyce country sheepdogs

This was a solid highlight of our vacation. From the incredible drive from Roundstone, soaking in the incredible scenery to getting to meet Joe and his dogs. It is something to see. Joe was so friendly and dogs were fascinating to watch. I would especially recommend it to anyone with kids. Thanks Joe!

I had read about Joyce Country Sheepdogs on TripAdvisor and really wanted to visit based on the reviews. However, we were staying in Adare and didn't know whether we should make the 2.5 hour drive to get there. So glad we did! It turned out to be our favorite day of a week long trip to Ireland. It is just incredible to watch the dogs in action and realize how much training and effort has gone into developing their skills to that level. Joe is truly a master at getting the dogs to do exactly what he wants them to at precisely the right time, even from far away and even when giving multiple commands to multiple dogs. Joe is also such a friendly person who clearly cares about the dogs and seems to really enjoy talking about them and answering questions about the dogs and his trade. It's a shame that sheep herding as a way of life has become so challenging with the very low price of wool.Even without the dogs and herding demonstration this is a place worth visiting. The countryside is absolutely gorgeous and even in the heart of the busy summer tourist season the area was very tranquil. It was really the type of experience we were envisioning and hoping to have when planning our first trip to Ireland. It is well worth a visit if you are anywhere near the area (i.e., anywhere in Ireland).

Recommended by our B&B host, Joe's sheep dog demonstration was entertaining and educational. His hairless border collies really put on a show. It's amazing how well they obey the commends of their owner, even when he appears simply to be conversing with you while they are a hundred yards or more away.

Go see Joe and his dogs, it's worth the trip! The surrounding countryside is a fantastic sight! The dogs are well trained and do a great job of herding the dogs. Go see Joe and his dogs, it's worth the trip! The surrounding countryside is a fantastic sight! The dogs are well trained and do a great job of herding the dogs.

Joe, his family, and his sheepdogs are definitely the best thing going in Galway County! We were lucky enough to have this morning's demonstration all to ourselves. Meeting Joe, his daughter, his puppies, and the rest of his dogs were such a pleasure. Watching them work was amazing. Well worth the trip from Galway!

This was my second visit to Joe Joyce's farm in Connemara - about a 20 minute drive from Leenane. His house is situated on a hill facing a lake which is bordered by a steep mountain, dotted with sheep - his sheep! Such are his skills that he crosses the lake in a boat, deposits his dogs on the side of the mountain and instructs them via voice and whistle from his boat in the middle of the lake, as he watches them zig and zag according to his commands. The demonstration does not include this scenario, but it is quite something to know. Joe introduces you to his dogs and their pups. There were five gorgeous, plump pups to hold and watch as they tumbled over each other and played happily. The adult dogs were lean and focussed. Joe took two from the kennels - Roy and Sweep - who herded a group of sheep on the hill behind his house into a pen, after chasing and guiding them into a tightly knit group. They were assisted and hindered by a young collie about four or five months old, who was already showing a remarkable natural ability to herd. It was so wonderful to watch and I would have stayed for much longer if the rain had not descended to cut the demonstration short. The dogs were not bothered of course - nor was Joe - only the namby pamby tourists like ourselves!! Joe answered all our questions - and there were many - and told us about the different skills of the dogs and how they all vary. Some are great going up mountains, having loads of stamina, but it takes particular skills to do that and not all dogs develop them, despite Joe's best efforts. The ones who can't be relied upon to go up and down the mountan after the sheep will do better gathering sheep in fields, for instance. Some dogs don't like loud commands, whilst some don't mind. Whilst he told us all of this, his favourite, prize winning dog, Roy, looked up at him as if he was a divine being! It was so lovely to see. There is such a bond between Joe and his dogs and it was a privilege to be part of that and to listen to how he trains them to be assets as well as pets. I visit the West of Ireland every year and will always visit Joe Joyce's farm to once again experience his amazing demonstration and to see his lovely dogs.

This was our second visit to Joe Joyce's house to see his sheepdogs and sheep. This time we took some other family members with us (all adults) as they wanted to see what we were so enthusiastic about!As before, Joe was engaging and amusing. Despite the dreadful weather (a huge storm blew up while we were there), we saw a sheep handling demonstration in the fields beside the house and were introduced to his latest puppy additions to the family. He showed how the puppies - even at just a few weeks old - know instinctively how to handle sheep!All Joe's dogs are friendly - they enjoy the extra attention they get from visitors. He breeds prize-winning Border Collie Sheepdogs and trains them for their new owners. A fully trained dog will sell for many thousands of Euros!If you're visiting Lenane, ask in the "Woolen Centre" or at "The Forge" for directions to Joe's. There are road signs along the easy 20 minute drive from Lenane, so you shouldn't get lost. It's a great visit and pleasantly inexpensive. Joe's a great host and enjoys sharing his animals and experience with visitors.

We stoped by Joe's place after friendly directions were given to us over the phone by his wife maryann. Joe's enthusiam and knowledge about the dogs is infectious and then meeting the dogs was beyond gorgeous! Puppies to cuddle whilst we watched the big dogs at work, one of the highlights of our trip! Big respect for all sheepdogs!

My husband and I stopped by Joe's place by chance and it was the highlight of our trip! It was amazing! Joe told us all about the dogs, how he trains them, and the sheep. We learned so much and the demonstration was really impressive! I would highly recommend it! There were also puppies running around, which is always a nice bonus!

So intimate. There was only eight for his 10am demonstration, and his kids all played with ours. He has a litter of pups at the moment, so that made for an hour and a half of cuddles. His working dogs were fab, bounding up and down his mountain (he calls it a hill), and staring or nipping the sheep around the paddock. Amazing experience in the heart of Joyce Country on Lough Na Fooey. If you are anywhere in the vicinity, drop in on one of his demo's, you won't regret it.

What a great experience! I visited with my brother and his wife whilst on holiday. For the first half an hour or so we were the only people there, the owner, Joe, was extremely friendly and welcoming, you could tell that he enjoys what he does. We had a fantastic demonstration of the sheep dogs abilities (very impressive), a demonstration of sheep shearing, and got to meet the dogs too, including the puppies. The farm is in a beautiful location and is well worth a visit. I'd highly reccomend this attraction for families with young children, as well as adults.

The man (joe), the many dogs, and the beauty of Lough Na Fooey make this a visit to remember. Joe is a real natural and you could listen to him forever. He has a very special relationship with the dogs and they are so happy to demonstrate their skills. Thanks for a great visit and sorry for delaying the painting of the fence!!

Joe Joyce is a passionate man ... which is evidenced by his stellar personality and love for all things sheepdog. He accommodated me early on a Saturday morning, and showed me his wonderfully-trained sheepdogs (Jill and Roy), and his pups (Blackjack and gang). The sheepfarm is on a beautiful lake, and while a bit remote, it was well worth the 45-minute trip NW from Galway.Definitely a highlight of my trip!

High point for my 20 month old daughter was the collie puppies. Joe, the owner, has a nice down to earth charisma which makes this an enjoyable hour in a beautiful setting. We would like to go back so we hope he evolves ' the show' a bit.

Joe Joyce puts on a really fabulous sheep dog demonstration. He is genuinely friendly and funny and his young daughter was equally entertaining. This demonstration is both a lot of fun for kids while being interesting for adults. Little wonder that Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson hung out with Joe. This was one of the true highlights of our holiday.